News & Resouces

The Latest News from OACS Ireland

“Look What These People Done To Me”

By wpengine | February 2, 2024

Karen Buck a UK mother recently shared her story on BBC1 News Night. Karen gave a powerful account of what her life has been like since finding out that her children was harmed by Epilim (Sodium Valproate). Karen BucK echoes…

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Statement: The Valproate Inquiry Update

By wpengine | January 25, 2024

OACS Ireland has been invited to attend a meeting with officials in the Department of Health. One of our objectives is to gain explicit reasons on why there has been such a delay on appointing a chairperson to the inquiry…

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Updated Press Comment: On the Sodium Valproate Inquiry.

By wpengine | January 19, 2024

OACS Ireland has been engaging with Officials in the Department of Health for a significant period. At the last meeting with the department officials, the number of candidates approached was at that time nearly exhausted, and suggestions were made that…

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New measures introduced by EMA for men prescribed Epilim (Sodium Valproate).

By wpengine | January 18, 2024

Last Updated: Tue, 17/01/2024 Following an ongoing review of new data, the European Medicines agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) have announced new precautionary safety measures for the treatment of males with Epilim (sodium valproate). Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) The…

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34th Annual ENTIS Conference,

2023 – Pregnancy Prevention Programme for Topiramate

By wpengine | November 8, 2023

We are happy to inform you, due to an agreement between European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) healthcare professionals will be sent a letter to inform them of the implementation of Pregnancy Prevention Programme for those…

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The eighth annual #MedSafetyWeek

By wpengine | November 7, 2023

This years #MedSafetyWeek – is an annual global campaign which aims to highlight the importance of reporting suspected side effects and safety issues resulting from a person’s medication. The Health Products Regulatory Authority are seeking support for the eighth annual #MedSafetyWeek campaign,…

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#BUDGET2024, OACS Ireland and the Victims of EPILIM (Sodium Valproate) Scandal

By wpengine | October 11, 2023

OACS Ireland Statement Date: 11th October 2023 Although some measures of Budget 2024 are welcomed, we are frustrated to see that Minister Donohue again has failed to provide an adequate level of means and allowances by which the most vulnerable…

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Dear Healthcare Professional communication issued by the HPRA on “fathers exposure” to EPILIM (Sodium Valproate).

By wpengine | October 10, 2023

Last Updated: Wed, 04/10/2023 – 11:00 Further to our recent updates regarding a European review of data on the potential risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, in children fathered by men taking EPILIM (sodium valproate) – containing medicines in…

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Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children and adults with Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder: A contribution from the ConcePTION project.

By wpengine | September 29, 2023

Introduction: OACS Ireland are delighted to welcome a key paper written by M. Bluett-Duncan, co-written by Rebecca Bromley and other health care professionals, along with input from patient groups in Ireland, UK and New Zealand. It is the largest study…

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Pregnancy Prevention Programme to be introduced for Anti-seizure medication Topiramate (Topamax)

By Karen | September 15, 2023

Following a review of three recent studies, the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has recommended that a Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP) be introduced around the use of the Anti-Seizure Medication Topiramate (Topamax). Two of these studies suggest…

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Videos / Media

OACS Ireland: The Story So Far

Public Hearing on Valproate

Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Patients*

Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Hospital Doctors*

Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For Neurologists & Psychiatrists*

Epilim (Sodium Valproate): For GPs*

*The Medication Safety Minute Team in conjunction with Dr Colin Doherty, Epileptologist in St. James’s Hospital (SJH), have produced a series of 4 videos to highlight the risks associated with sodium valproate medicines if taken during pregnancy. Each of the videos highlights key points in relation to the management of the issue from a different perspective − that of the patient, the hospital doctor, the specialist (neurologist or psychiatrist), and the GP, respectively. These videos were released during National Epilepsy Week which aims to raise awareness Epilim (Sodium Valproate) in pregnancy.